I am not a writer, but a photographer. I am not Brazilian, nor American, nor Irish, nor English, but born in Austria enjoying double citizenship. After living in São Paulo for 20 years this city just grew on me - I admit: I was thoroughly upset when we first moved here and I thought I won’t last a year here - well, NEVER say NEVER again.

A lot of Brazilians would give their left arm to be able to move away from here and live abroad, they complain about too much traffic, too many taxes, insufficient medical care, never ending corruption and hopeless politicians.
And yet - right at this moment - there is me, wanting to get you to like São Paulo, to come back and visit or simply make the best of your stay during the World Cup next year. Because I know for a fact, and have tried it out myself (!!!), São Paulo has a lot to offer for tourists (although badly advertised) and there is no need to listen to “don’t go out on the street on your own” or “please stay safely in your hotel room”.

There are some basic rules for São Paulo (and any big city for that matter):

1) Go out before 6 a.m. or after 9.30 a.m. - leave the morning hours for people who have to get to work - don’t get in their way, they are the majority!!!! Don’t worry, I have some ideas for what you can do early in the morning.
2) Wear comfortable runners and don’t try to impress with expensive looking clothes, bags, backpacks or watches and jewellery. Low profile keeps you away from trouble. Bring some cash, one credit card and for your cell phone you will find some wifi spots occasionally, especially in museums, some restaurants or, surprise: even in a public park such as Ibirapuera Park.
3) Keep an eye on your Monday programme - lots of places are closed Mondays!
4) Last but not least: take a taxi - you will get there quicker and safer. Traffic in São Paulo is madness, the street signs bring you anywhere but to your destination and GPS systems tend to take short cuts through areas where you do not want to be seen dead.

Tuesday - Sunday, Entrance fee: R$ 5,00 Parking: R$ 8,00 (reserve 4 hours, or more if you are a photographer)

If you get there around 10 a.m. (opens at 9 a.m.) you have plenty of time to enjoy nice walks through the 360.000m2 rainforest park. If you are lucky you may even get to see the “bugios” (monkeys) that live there freely. Anyway, you will unmistakably hear them from far away! My insider tip: have lunch at the Atlantic Restaurant (there is only this one there, can’t miss it). The homemade food is delicious and you only pay for what you put on your plate. Lunch starts at around noon and is being served until about 2 p.m.

Recommended for Nature lovers, people who like to walk, photographers and “lovebirds”.
Best day to visit: during the week (and also the food is much better weekdays!!!!)

New Yorkers have their Central Park. Paulistas have Ibirapuera Park.
Ibirapuera is one of Latin America’s largest city parks (545 acres) and needs to be discovered - it is great to go there for a run (or walk) early in the morning - and believe me, you will not be on your own - have breakfast at one of the kiosk’s (as from 8 a.m. - with wifi!!!), ride a bike (they do have bike rentals) or even visit one of the many museums in the park. They are open from 10 a.m., entrance is mostly free.
Great exhibitions at the Museum Afro-Brasil, MAM (Museum of Modern Art), Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu de Arte Contemporânea), Oca, Bienale, Planetarium, Japanese Pavillion (special opening hours and days)...and last but not least you should have a look into the entrance hall of the Auditório Ibirapuera (concert hall) - you will be pleasantly surprised!!
The shows or concerts at the Auditório Ibirapuera often present unknown artists and you can take your pick from classical music to jazz and pop or even Brazilian artists - for as little as R$ 20,00 you will get the ultimate sound experience and if the backstage opens up, it lights up the park during the evening show: you will really count yourself lucky - never ever will you have seen anything like it. Be there 45 minutes before the show and indulge in a “pão de queijo” (Brasilian cheese bread speciality) and espresso with or without milk.

Outside the park have a look at the “Monumento ás Bandeiras” sculpture, the Obelisk and also visit “Lago Três” (the big lake you see from outside the park) where they have fountains and lights. It’s a Xmas spectacle - but don’t expect it to be the Bellagio of Las Vegas.
At the weekends the park gets fairly crowded - but it is interesting to watch how the locals spend their outdoor weekend.
Recommended for: Nature lovers, athletes, small children, cyclists, skateboarders, photographers and people who like to feed ducks.
Best time to visit: early in the morning, sundown at weekends and always from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Security advice: don’t buy anything from Isopor street venders in the park. Buy your drinks, food or water from the restaurants and official kiosks.

I have had the pleasure and honour to share many of htese precious moment with this wonderful photographer. In many cases she knows more about Sao Paulo than many "locals". These photos are superb and the tips for tourists are so accurate.Congratulations on a terrific initiative.Looking forward to an English version.